Films about the Stonewall Riots
The Stonewall Riots, which took place in New York City in June 1969, were a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. These riots, led by transgender women of color and other marginalized members of the community, sparked a wave of activism and marked a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
Here are some films that explore the Stonewall Riots and their impact:
“Stonewall”, 2015
Director: Roland Emmerich
Directed by Roland Emmerich, this film is a fictionalized account of the events leading up to the Stonewall Riots. It follows a young man from the Midwest who finds himself in the middle of the riots and becomes a key figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Jonny Beauchamp, Joey King, Caleb Landry Jones, Matt Craven, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ron Perlman, David Cubitt, Vlad Alexis, Ben Sullivan, Andrea Frankle, Patrick Garrow, Alexandre Nachi, Karl Glusman, Otoja Abit, Larry Day, Nastassia Markiewicz, Rohan Mead, Atticus Mitchell, Mark Camacho, Frank Schorpion, Michael McNally, A.C. Peterson, Richard Jutra, Arthur Holden, Tony Calabretta, Joanne Vannicola, Yan England, Philippe Hartmann, Kevin Benoit, Bronwen Mantel, Kevin Kelsall, Jane Wheeler, Guy Sprung, Kwasi Songui, Bill Rowat, Kent McQuaid, Jason Cavalier, Rebecca Croll, Jean Nicolai, Wade Lynch, Johnny Falcone, Kevin Raymond St-Jean, David Rigby, Kevin Woodhouse, Lisa Bronwyn Moore, Jordan Roberts, Alexandre Clairoux, Myla Zane, Simon Alain;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,3;
More information about the film “Stonewall” on the website imdb.com
“Before Stonewall”, 1984
Director: Greta Schiller, Robert Rosenberg
This documentary, directed by Greta Schiller and Robert Rosenberg, provides a comprehensive look at the LGBTQ+ rights movement before the Stonewall Riots. It explores the social, political, and cultural climate of the time and features interviews with key activists and community members.
Starring: Rita Mae Brown, Red Jordan Arobateau, Ann Bannon, Lisa Ben, Gladys Bentley, George Buse, Carroll Davis, Martin Duberman, Allen Ginsberg, Barbara Gittings, Barbara Grier, Mabel Hampton, Harry Hay, Dorothy Hillaire, Evelyn Hooker, Frank Kameny, Jim Kepner, Audre Lorde, Nancy MacCulloch, Bruce Nugent, Henry Otis, Johnnie Phelps, Ted Rolfs, Chuck Rowland, Donna Smith, Rikki Streicher, Hank Vilas, Kenneth Anger, John Burnside, Nigel De Brulier, Louis Dumar, James P. Johnson, Mitchell Lewis, Jimmy Mordecai, Thomas Morris, Alla Nazimova, Bessie Smith, Isabel Washington, Teddie Boutte, Jackie Cachero, Marge Summit, Maua Adele Ajanaku, Jheri, Craig Rodwell, Grant Gallup, Ivy Bottini, Roy M. Cohn, Betty Friedan, Morris Kight, Martin Luther King, Pat Lenhof, Joseph McCarthy, Ronald Reagan, Dean Rusk, Jose Sarria;
Production year: 1984;
Genre: documentary, history;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Before Stonewall” on the website imdb.com
“After Stonewall”, 1999
Director: John Scagliotti
A follow-up to “Before Stonewall,” this documentary delves into the aftermath of the riots and the impact they had on the LGBTQ+ community. Directed by John Scagliotti, the film features interviews with activists, artists, and community leaders.
Starring: Craig Rodwell, Melissa Etheridge, Mike Carney, Barney Frank, Peter Tatchell, Renae Ogletree, Dorothy Allison, Barbara Gittings, Michael Bronski, Karla Jay, Marsha P. Johnson, Harry Hay, Troy Perry, Arnie Kantrowitz, Jim Fouratt, Frank Kameny, Phil Johnson, Pratibha Parmar, Elizabeth Birch, Jewelle Gomez, Rita Mae Brown, Chuck Forester, Armistead Maupin, Mel Flythe, Craig Lucas, CoCo LaChine, Gil Gerald, Sylvester, Larry Kramer, Bette Midler, Robin Tyler, Barbara Smith, Marjorie Hill, Audre Lorde, Judy Dlugacz, Torie Osborn, Elaine Noble, Harvey Milk, Craig Carnahan, Anita Bryant, Mel White, David Mixner, Phil Reed, Steve Endean, Hilary Rosen, Ronald Reagan, Jerry Falwell, Maxine Wolfe, Boy George, Beverly Little Thunder;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: documentary, biography, history;
Duration: 88 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “After Stonewall” on the website imdb.com
“Stonewall Uprising”, 2010
Director: Kate Davis, David Heilbroner
Directed by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner, this documentary offers a detailed account of the Stonewall Riots through archival footage, interviews with witnesses, and expert commentary. It provides a historical perspective on the events and their significance.
Starring: Paul Bosche, Alfredo del Rio, John DiGiacomo, Dana Gaiser, Danny Garvin, Noah Goldman, Michael Joaquin Grey, David Huggins, Louis Mandelbaum, LeRoy Mobley, Samuel Murkofsky;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: documentary, history;
Duration: 80 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Stonewall Uprising” on the website imdb.com
“The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson”, 2017
Director: David France
Directed by David France, this documentary focuses on the life and activism of Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender woman and prominent figure in the Stonewall Riots. The film explores her contributions to the LGBTQ+ rights movement and her mysterious death.
Starring: Kurt Wolfe, Sue Yacka, Catherine Shugrue Dos Santos, Victoria Cruz, Marcus Maier, Taylor Mead, Marsha P. Johnson, Jean Michaels, Robert Michaels, Jimmy Camicia, Randolfe Wicker, Joe Cooper, James McShane, Sylvia Rivera, Karla Jay, Agosto Machado, Mark Segal, Chanel Lopez, Kitty Rotolo, Delores Nettles, Ted Mcguire, Vito Russo, Rusty Mae Moore, Chelsea Goodwin, Eddie DeGrand, Frances Baugh, Coco Rodriguez, Matt Foreman, Candida Piel, Jacques Garon, Brian R. Wills, Jennifer Louise Lopez, Sylvia Cunningham, Paul Moniz, Michael Baden, Al Michaels, Beverly Tillery, Letitia James, Jasmine Vega, Erica Ramdass, Calypso Breeze Giovanna, Julia Murray, Pat Bumgardner, Xena Grandichelli, Daniel P. Conviser, Nicholas Viorst, James Abreu, James Dixon, Red Mahoney, Daniel Massanova, Ed Murphy;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: documentary;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson” on the website imdb.com
These films offer different perspectives on the Stonewall Riots and their impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Whether through fictionalized narratives or documentaries, they shed light on a pivotal moment in history and the ongoing struggle for equality.
In conclusion, the selection of films about the Stonewall Riots offers a powerful and poignant representation of a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. These films not only shed light on the struggles faced by the community during that time, but also highlight the resilience, bravery, and unity that emerged from the riots. Through compelling storytelling, authentic performances, and thought-provoking narratives, these films not only educate audiences about the past, but also inspire a continued fight for equality and acceptance. By exploring the complexities of the Stonewall Riots, these films serve as a reminder of the progress made and the work that still needs to be done towards achieving full LGBTQ+ rights and inclusion.
